a good way to sum this one up is "winning doesn't have to be perfect" (that is someone's quote but I can't find whose). i didn't run especially well in the beginning, mostly trying to wrap my mind around the mass start, the group dynamic, and the open field terrain, 3 things i could use more experience with. but the later sections of the course were more ridge/reentrant stuff that i am familiar with, plus i was more alone, so was able to execute better.
highlights include
a major faceplant on the way to 1, causing me to lose my HR strap.
changing my mind mid-route on potential early skips 7 and 12 (bad!)
seeing lots of hawks and deer and cool man-made mtb wood things
pushing through total body mutiny in the last third of the course
nailing the first uncrossable river route choice and then wiffing on the next
winning the coveted dead possum!
my body is very very sore. these last two weeks i have been coasting off the fitness built over the summer and i believe the well may be close to dry. i wouldn't have it any other way however, the results achieved (CW8hrAR, PMETR, and PT) have been some of the most memorable this year.
as an added bonus, i was on the receiving end of some top-notch hospitality from the Neubergers and traveling companions ebuckley and yaya. thanks!!